One of the most popular heritage chicken breeds lays eggs that are brilliantly colored.
No special dye or chicken feed is necessary to produce the vibrant eggs from heritage chickens – they come with the genes they need to do it all by themselves! ??
Do chicken eggs typically come in white when purchased from a market or farm?
Have you heard that there are various breeds of chickens that lay eggs in different colors?
No, we are not discussing eggs that have been dyed in different hues.
These chickens lay eggs that are truly beautiful.
We’re discussing colors such as blue, green, and even red.
What is the cause of this happening?
Let’s discuss the DNA of chickens.
The eggs they lay are initially white, but they possess certain pigments which cause them to develop into blue, brown, or green eggs.
Over time, the color of the eggs may become lighter, but they will still remain the same color. The taste of the eggs will stay the same as white eggs if the chickens are kept healthy and are receiving proper nutrition.
Let’s get acquainted with the heritage hens.
At first, Brahma was the creator of the universe.
Brahmas are the rulers of the world of poultry, boasting a size and vigor that are unrivaled.
During the colder months, even when other chickens have slowed down or stopped laying eggs, these chickens can continue producing.
The Brahmas are known as the kings of the poultry world and their impressive look is certainly majestic. Their feathers are predominantly white with contrasting black tail and hackles.
Brahmas lay eggs that are either cream-colored or brown-colored and weigh approximately 1.95 to 2.25 ounces (55 to 65 grams).
Light Sussex
For hundreds of years, the Light Sussex chicken has been a popular choice among poultry farmers due to its low-maintenance nature and docile temperament. This breed is perfect for beginners looking to get into the world of poultry farming.
These chickens, which have broad shoulders, lay eggs that are pale pink in color.
Ameraucana
The Ameraucana is a breed of chicken which was created by cross-breeding Araucanas with other chicken breeds.
Araucanas produce around 200 blue eggs per year, and are considered relatively healthier chickens, even though they have a lethal gene that kills eggs before hatching.
Isbar
Isbar chickens are a rare poultry breed, renowned for the fact that they are the only purebred chickens that lay naturally green-colored eggs.
Calling Dr. Seuss, the eggs will flow,As long as their conditions are favorable, up to 250 each year will grow!
Maran
This French breed of chicken can lay up to 200 large eggs per year, with a variety of colors ranging from dark brown or chocolate to deep reddish-brown. The eggs that this breed produces are deep brown in color.
The age of the Maran affects the hue of the egg; younger Marans lay eggs of a darker color than those of older Marans.
Egg enthusiasts have proclaimed that these eggs are the tastiest and one-of-a-kind in the world.
Olive Eggers
Olive Eggers are a hybrid of Araucanas and Marans and they produce dark green eggs.
They lay about 200 eggs each year, the colors of which can vary from dark green to brownish-green.
Ayam Cemani
Ayam Cemani is a type of chicken that is known for its striking all-black appearance. From the beak to the feathers to even the bones, this chicken is completely black. It has been nicknamed the Black Egg Chicken.
If you come across a black egg in the store, it is likely painted as the eggs of this particular species are cream-colored.
Easter Eggers
Eggs laid by Easter Eggers can vary in color depending on the breeds they are crossbred with.
Ameraucanas or Araucanas can be crossed with another chicken breed that produces brown-colored eggs to create Easter Eggers.
Because of the varying genetic makeup of each chicken, Easter Eggers have not yet been fully acknowledged as a distinct chicken species. The differences in genetics are evident in the fact that one Easter Egger may lay blue-colored eggs while another may lay green-colored eggs.
The diverse combination of breeds seen here is what gives this particular shade of cyan-blue its vibrant appearance.
Dongxiang
Only in China can these birds, which have black feathers, be found.
Although they have black feathers and a red comb and wattles, they can lay either bright blue eggs or, occasionally, pink eggs.
Yokohama
This German chicken breed is primarily kept for ornamental reasons and is renowned for its long, attractive plumage rather than its egg-laying capabilities.
It is estimated that they still produce approximately 100 milky pink eggs per year.
Arkansas Blue
Arkansas Blue chickens are a hybrid of White Leghorns and Araucana chickens, however, they do not lay white eggs like the Leghorns.
Rather than laying white eggs, they produce blue eggs due to the pigment oocyan that they possess.
This pigment causes their eggs to be blue on both the exterior and the interior.
Araucana
Araucanas, which are thought to have originated in Chile, are said to be the source of the multi-colored eggs.
If blue eggs are observed that did not originate from an Araucana chicken, it is still possible that the chicken has Araucana lineage.
Have you ever beheld eggs of such a naturally vibrant hue before?